The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-17
MIR. o,BKIEN.s TROUSERS STOLEN.


MIR O'BRIEN'S TROUSERS STOLEN.
The Prisoner LuIIed into a Feeling of Security
and the Outrage Committed While Asleep.
T. P. Gill's Special to New York Tribune
I shall not attempt to characterize. but shall
give closely as 1 can in the words of the
three magistrates who visited him. the story Of
the nameess deed that was perpetrated on Mr..
William OBrien Saturday morning.
After the truce which appeared to have ensued
after removing him to infrmary cell and
placing HIM under medical care, the government
on Saturday renewed hostilities their pris-
They had failed to make him wear the
prison clothes; SO they stole his own clothes
while he was asleep.
On Friday inspector of prisons named
Joyce went down from Dublin Castle to TuIla-
more and spent the day the prison. He
threatened the chaplain, who is an old man over
eighty, for allowing one OF his curates to offici-
sometimes for him in the prison and then
see William O'Brien, and he browbeat the prison
doctor for his kindness. The policy is the
result of his visit.
When DIR. Moorehead, j. p, called at the iai!
on Saturday he saw that there something
mp; the governor was fidgety and anxious to
impress upon him that the interview shond be
confined to one question. What was upR Let
DR.. Moorhead tell in his own words, as he wrote
the account in the visitors book and read it
to the governor.
II found Mr.. OBrien in bed" says Mr.. Moor
head, Cooking most excited and flushed. and
during our interview he coughsd considerably.
He told me he was glad had come, as he wish ed
to make a most serious complaint that his
clothes had been stolen from him in the early
dark morning and others substituted for them
which were not his and were not ordinary clothes
of convicted prisoners He said:
1.-Two days ago. coming to the hospital, DR..
Ridley distinctly intinated to that the light
as to the clothes was over, and that there would
be no future attempt to modest me if I would
consent to accept change of underclothing.
which he would specially, doctor, have sup
piled. told him was glad to hear it, but that
he must not expect an answer for some days, as
I wished to deliberate the matter; but that,
so far as could see as to his proposition he
would not find me dogeedly obstinate. Dr. Rid
ley expressed his satisfaction. | considered,
therefore, an honorable understanding existed
between US and the authorities portion Of
this conversation relative to the clothes question
took place In the presence OF the chaplain, the
Rev. DR.. NJ Alroy.
g On this honorable understanding, omitted
observing the precaution which usually used
take to prevent my clothes being stolen,
namely. by keeping my clothes under my bed,
1 was further strengthened in that understand
ing by the governor Informing that they
were sending TO Cork Jail for the cape Of my
frieze coat, which was left there last night.
further step was taken to lull me into secur-
ity. I was still in the habit of throwing my top
coat over on the bed. Last night the chief
warden entered my room and asked wheth-
er had sufficient blankets. l said: eyes,
quite; but am in the habit of using my coat
me-"
% He said: 'The coat is of considerable
weight and not much heat will bring you
additional blanket"
I said the weather not yet severe; there
would be plenty of time later in the winter. He
came an hour afterward himseif-not th. hos
pital warder-with the blanket. / was unsus-
picious enough to take it for granted it was an
act meant in kindness to and in concern for
my health. Several visits were paid last night
ne for ostensible purpose, the reason Of
which is now intelligible.
g One other step taken to deceive me.
I in the habit of arising Gas A. NJ. at the
first call. to be ready dressed before visit.
The first morning after came the hospital
the chief warder said: "You need be in no hurry
here. Take your time to get up.''
II was rather ill during the night, having
taken medicine. left my clothes on the chair.
had been in the habit of doing each night
since this honorable understanding was estab-
llshed. The chief warder first to call in the
dark of the morning, and asked: "Are you all
right"
LAS usual I said, "All right" He went
away, and short time after the hospital warder
came int the room with the hospital boy, who
cleans the cell, and began to light the fire and
clean up the place. l. as previous mornin gs.
remained in bed during this operation. I was
sick, and chilly, and doing in bed after bad
nights rest. when suddenly noticed the warder
stealing to the door, in the half dark. with my
clothes and the chair. l cried out: What are
you att"
. He said ''They are gone" I could not
help il l said it was base and cunning strata
gem. After some time another warder entered
and left there the clothes which you oppo-
site, which not the clothes of ordinary
make and material The governor here inter
posed that they were the clothes used in hos
pital, aud the other prisoners wore them. said
il that WAS so. the change was made since yes
terday, as had seen them in the grey frieze
convict dress, and it only strengthened my
statement VIZ. that the officials making an
offensive distinction between political individ-
uals and offenses for which have commended.
which is additional outrage on all other pris-
oners arrested under the crimes act.
What claim I claim not a member of
Parliament, but a political prisoner. and
shall accept nothing but what my humblest
comrade can equally claim. l shall never wear
these clothes. but shall take every advantage
of the light. fire, etc., allowed me- and eat so far
as my appetite permits whatever food get SO
that if they kill me, they shall not be able to say
/ killed myself. still have my own white shirt,
which I mean to keep till torn from me by force.
make this complaint as it is violation OF Prison
Rules % and 81 of General Prison Rules, which
set forth how offenses like mine are to be dealt
with. and claim that the methods prescribed
by the rules for dealing with my ofense has
force was abandoned and low, cunning
policy of petty larceny adopted instead. Until
see the doctor, L cannot believe him a party to
the breach of honorable understanding entered
into with me. / am alone amongst enemlos.
They brought me here to murder me-
During the interview Mr.. O'Brien fear
fully excited. and bright hectic flush burned
in his cheeks, whilst his hands perspired with
the cold clamminess of tubercular subject.
He coughed frequently; his breath was fetid. and
the constant eructation of offensive gases from
the stomach told what powerful effect his
excitement has his digestive organs. He
had not touched food M TO the hour Of my visit,
and sank back exhausted in the bed after the